The Secret Heiress

by Terri Reed

  Sympathy filled Caroline. “Poor Uncle Samuel. And the twins!” Her heart ached to think they’d have to endure their mother going to prison.

  “Don’t feel too bad for them. They admitted to setting the smoke bomb and putting the snake in your bed,” Gantz said. “They both claim their mother put them up to it.”

  “But you don’t believe them?” Don asked.

  He shrugged. “She may have made the suggestion, but they’re old enough to know right from wrong. Samuel has hired a team of lawyers for his family.”

  Exhausted, emotionally and physically, Caroline closed her eyes. “It’s all so sad and sordid.”

  “Knock, knock,” a familiar voice called from the doorway.

  Caroline’s eyelids popped open. She squealed in delight to see Elijah enter in a wheelchair pushed by an orderly. “Elijah!”

  Elijah’s face split into a beaming smile. He looked vibrant and healthier than she could have imagined. “Caroline. I’ve been so worried.”

  Don made space for Elijah so he could be wheeled to her bedside.

  “I’ll leave you now,” Sheriff Gantz said, heading toward the door. He stopped to say to Elijah, “Good to see you, Elijah.”

  “And you, George,” Elijah said, shaking the sheriff’s hand. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”

  “Doing my job, sir. Don, a word?”

  Don nodded and glanced at Caroline, “I’ll be right outside.”

  Her heart smiled. He was still protecting her. She watched him disappear out the door. She let out a small sigh.

  “He’s something, this fiancé of yours,” Elijah stated, drawing her attention. “I approve wholeheartedly.”

  The need to confess the truth bubbled to the surface. “He’s actually not my fiancé.” Yet. The word hovered on her tongue. “He’s a bodyguard I hired to accompany me here. We were pretending to be engaged to cover his true purpose for coming with me.”

  Elijah’s hazel eyes widened. “A bodyguard? Well, doesn’t that beat all? I never would have guessed. You two seemed so much in love.” He peered at her speculatively. “Are you sure your feelings for each other were all pretend?”

  She grinned at her too-observant grandfather. “No, I’m not sure at all.”

  Elijah grinned back. “You do love him.”

  Heat rose up her neck. “Yes, I do.”

  “Have you told him?”

  “Not properly yet, but I plan to.”

  Elijah patted her hand. “Good to hear. And if I were a betting man, which I’m not mind you, I’d bet Don loves you, too.”

  “I sure hope so.”

  “Well, we both made it to the New Year.”

  “Yes, we did. Happy New Year, Elijah.”

  “Grandfather,” he corrected. “Happy New Year to you, my dear.” His happy expression dimmed. “I suppose you’ll be heading back to Boston soon.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Yes. But I’ll come to visit often.”

  “I’ll hold you to that promise.”

  Don stepped back into the room. “Samuel is here to see you both.”

  Caroline exchanged a glance with Elijah. They smiled simultaneously. “Invite him in,” she said.

  Samuel walked in, carrying a bouquet of brightly colored tulips and carnations. His tentative expression tugged at her heart. “Uncle Samuel, are you okay?”

  “I should be asking you that,” he said, laying the flowers on the edge of the bed. “Father, I’m so sorry.”

  Elijah held out his free hand to his son. “Not your doing, son. The house?”

  Samuel shook his head. “Unsalvageable.”

  Sadness damped Elijah’s gaze. “We can rebuild. And the twins?”

  “Confused, angry and scared. But they’ll survive.”

  Samuel ran a hand over his jaws. “I’m having a hard time reconciling Abigail’s actions with the woman I love. But I guess we’re all capable of a dark side.”

  Caroline had come face-to-face with darkness in that shed. She hoped she never had to go through something like that again. Her gaze went to Don. As long as he was in her life, she’d never have to face anything alone.

  Now if they could only have a private moment so she could ask him if he’d be willing to spend the rest of his life with her.

  She stifled a giggle. She wanted to propose to Don. What a wonderful way to start the New Year.

  THIRTEEN

  Much to Caroline’s annoyance and frustration the moment she’d been hoping for didn’t arrive until she and Don were back in Boston. Don’s reticent mood on the trip home left her feeling off-kilter. Though there wasn’t any concrete reason she could pinpoint, he seemed to be pulling away from her. The job he’d been hired to do was done. She understood that. But there were still words unsaid, feelings needing to be explored. Nervous anticipation knotted her stomach.

  After the taxi from Logan Airport dropped them off in front of her apartment building, she waited on the sidewalk with her bags while Don stowed his own bags in the back of his Porsche that he’d left parked on the street. A recent storm had covered the city with a pristine blanket of snow. She shivered and pulled her wool coat tighter. She couldn’t believe she actually missed Mississippi’s milder rainy weather.

  She led the way to her apartment, while Don carried her bags. The awkward silence charged the air between them. Once inside she flipped up the heat.

  Don set her bags inside the doorway, but remained in the hall. “I’ll say goodbye here.”

  “Wait! No.” An anxious flutter hit her tummy. Taking a bracing breath, she said, “Please come in.”

  He shook his head. “I need to get to the office and write up my report.”

  “Surely you can spare a moment.” She cleared her throat. “I’ve something to ask you.”

  Stepping inside, he closed the door behind him.

  “Would you like some tea, a glass of water?” she asked using the courtesy as a stalling tactic.

  He shook his head, his teal-blue eyes studying her. “What’s wrong, Caroline?”

  A nervous laugh escaped. “Wrong? Thankfully nothing anymore.” She gestured to the new door. “The super did a super job on replacing my door.” An embarrassed laugh escaped for her word play.

  His mouth twitched. “You had something you wanted to ask?”

  She bit at her lip. Her courage faltered. She gestured toward the leather couch. “Yes, I do have something to ask. Can we sit?”

  With a slight frown he moved to the couch. She sat next to him. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me these past weeks.”

  “No thanks needed. I was doing what you hired me to do.”

  “I know that.” She frowned. Why was he acting so strange, so distant? His expression gave nothing away of his thoughts. “But we’ve grown close, right? I’m more than just a job to you, aren’t I?”

  “Caroline—”

  She didn’t like the tone in his voice.

  Gathering her bravery, she looked him square in the eye. “I’m in love with you.”

  He inhaled sharply.

  He sat immobile, his face etched like a perfect piece of granite. Hard and intractable. Not the reaction she’d expected.

  “I’m sure you think you are,” he said finally. “We shared an intense time. You were almost killed. Your emotions are running high. Give yourself some time to settle back into your life here. You’ll see that you don’t really…that your feelings aren’t what you think they are. It’s not uncommon for protectees to develop feelings for their protector.”

  Her hackles rose even as hurt gored her on a spike of disbelief. “I know what I feel. I love you, Don.”

  Shaking his head, he said, “We
can’t do this. I can’t do this.”

  Taken aback by the alarm in his eyes, she said, “Don, I don’t understand. Are you telling me you don’t feel anything for me?” She braced herself for his answer, realizing in a flash of clarity that he’d never indicated any deep feelings for her. Sure he held her hand, hugged, kissed her even. But he’d never uttered any promises or declarations. Tears welled in her eyes.

  He rose to his feet and stalked a path in front of her. “Caroline, you’re wonderful, kind, compassionate. I would give my life for you.”

  “You almost did, several times.” She took heart in the fact that he hadn’t denied having any feelings for her outright. All the emotions of affection and caring she’d been feeling couldn’t have been one-sided. Could they? “I don’t understand what the problem is. Either you care for me or you don’t.”

  “It’s not that simple. You’ve been through enough hurt and pain in your life, I won’t risk adding to it.”

  Confusion seeped through her. “You would never hurt me.”

  “Not intentionally, no. But—”

  Her heart beat in her throat. “But?”

  He stopped short and faced her. His hands fisted at his sides. Agony marched across his face. She wanted to go to him but feared he’d reject her. She sat still—waiting, knowing that whatever he was about to say was going to hurt.

  “I’m afraid I’ll be like my father. A loser who cracks under the pressure and responsibility of a family. And I couldn’t face you never forgiving me.”

  Boggled by his words, she stood. “You are not your father. You could never be like him.”

  When he opened his mouth to argue, she held up a hand. “I don’t know what twisted logic brought you to this conclusion, but look at the life choices you’ve made. The military? Talk about pressure and responsibility. Caring for your dying mother? Protecting people you don’t know? These aren’t actions of someone who would ever crack under pressure.”

  “But there’s no guarantee,” he said in a voice so full of pain and resignation.

  “Don’t you think I know that?” Her fists clenched. All her rage at the unfairness of her past relationship screamed through her. “I’m not the naive girl I once was. I know that life can turn on a dime, feelings ebb and flow, but I believe in my gut that you and I would not be a statistic. You and I together would be good. We have God on our side.” She reached out for him. “He’s the only guarantee I need. His grace will protect us.”

  “I wish I could believe that.” He walked away, out of her reach. “I’m sorry, Caroline.”

  With his back ramrod straight and his expression hard and full of pain, he left her apartment, closing the door softly behind him.

  Caroline stood frozen in place, barely believing he was gone. Then slowly she sank to her knees and burst into tears.

  Don couldn’t concentrate. It had been two days since he’d walked out of Caroline’s life. Two days of going through the motions, not really feeling anything, afraid to allow the pain in for fear he’d end up crippled by it.

  This morning, as he sat at his desk, the buzz of the other agents doing their work all around him retreated to white noise. The images of Caroline’s hurt-filled eyes, the way she’d looked when he’d left her standing in her living room, wouldn’t be denied. They bore into him like a laser, pinpointing the soft, tender place where she’d taken up residence in his heart.

  His soul ached knowing the pain he’d caused her. Exactly what he’d been trying to avoid. He couldn’t win. Not telling her how he felt hurt her. But wouldn’t being with her lead to pain, too?

  We have God on our side. He’s the only guarantee I need.

  Her words, spoken with such conviction, rang inside his head. It sounded so simple, trust God with their lives.

  A pair of fingers snapped in front of his face. “Dude, snap out of it.”

  His gaze shifted to Kyle.

  Kyle arched an eyebrow. “Man, ever since your return from M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I—” he said each letter in a singsong voice that grated down Don’s back “—your head hasn’t been in the game.” Kyle tapped his knuckles on the dossier lying open in front of Don.

  Blowing out a breath, Don nodded. “Gotcha.”

  But he couldn’t work up the wherewithal to present a plan of action for this newest case. He was doing his fellow employees a disservice. As well as the client. Gathering the file, he held it out to Kyle. “I need to talk to Trent.”

  Kyle accepted the folder with surprise.

  Don made his way upstairs and knocked on James’s office door.

  “Come in.”

  Don entered. James stood at the picture window, his feet braced apart, his hands clasped behind his back. He turned to face Don. “I’ve been expecting you.”

  Don blinked. Okay. “Why?”

  “A package arrived for you.” He gestured with his head to toward the desk.

  Don cautiously approached and inspected the airmail package. The label read Sheriff Gantz. Don’s gut clenched. He knew what was inside. “Sir, I need to request some vacation time.”

  Approval shone bright on James’s face. “Good. Some time away will help you take a long look at what you want in life.”

  Don’s eyebrows rose. The uncanny way James knew when his team members needed space had always been a source of conversation among the staff. Being so easily read made Don feel vulnerable and yet known and cared for all at the same time.

  “I trust you’ll find what you’re searching for soon. I’d hate to lose you,” James continued.

  “I’ll be back, sir,” Don assured him.

  James nodded sagely and resumed contemplating the scenery out his window.

  Don liked working for Trent. Liked protecting others.

  These aren’t the actions of someone who would ever crack under pressure.

  Something inside of him shifted. Did he dare believe that? His breath caught and held. His parents hadn’t trusted their lives to God. If they had, would his father have left? Maybe cracking under pressure wasn’t a part of Don’s DNA. With God anything was possible. Right? An excitement he hadn’t ever felt before stirred in his soul.

  As he pulled the door closed, James called over his shoulder, “Tell Ms. Tully hello, will you?”

  Don dropped his chin forward. How did he do that?

  Don left the agency and took his Porsche for a drive. His baby handled the curves with ease, allowing his troubled mind to examine his wants and desires.

  Take a long look at what you want in life.

  Being honest with himself, Don acknowledged he didn’t want to grow old alone and lonely, wishing he’d seized the opportunity for love when he had the chance.

  Fear, he decided, was a horrible companion.

  The only antidote to fear was love. God’s love. Caroline’s love.

  “Lord, I pray it’s not too late. I love her.” Joy expanded in his chest, crowding out the last vestiges of fear.

  And he needed to tell her.

  He pulled to the side of the road and reached for his cell phone. Scrolling through his contacts, he found her number. Figuring she’d be at the store since it was the afternoon, he dialed that number first. A woman answered.

  “Caroline Tully, please?”

  “I’m sorry, she’s unavailable. Would you like to leave a message?”

  “This is Donovan Cavanagh, could you please have her return my call?”

  There was a moment’s hesitation, and then the woman said, “I know who you are. She’s visiting her parents in New Hampshire. Would you like that number?”

  “I have it, thank you.” Don hung up and then started to dial Caroline’s parents’ number. He stopped. Telling her he loved her couldn’t be done properly over the phone. Sh
e’d had the courage to face him when she declared her love. He could do no less. He hoped showing up on her parents’ doorstep wouldn’t upset her. Only one way to find out.

  With hopes high, he headed to New Hampshire.

  With one gloved hand, Caroline brushed away the snow from the bronze memorial plate embedded in the ground at the head of Cullen’s grave. Her other hand crushed the stems of the small bouquet of posies she’d brought. She blew out a breath. So many emotions swirled in her heart and head. She tried to grab ahold of one long enough to examine, but they floated away like the powdery snow blowing off the tall dogwoods surrounding the cemetery.

  “So much has happened this month,” she said aloud. Then gave a soft laugh. “I fell in love again. Only he doesn’t love me. At least not enough to take a chance on us.”

  What was she doing here? She hadn’t been back since the funeral. Too much anger and bitterness had kept her away.

  You haven’t forgiven him.

  Don’s statement twirled around her mind.

  It struck her then why she’d felt compelled to come here today. She longed for peace.

  And closure.

  Like the closure she’d had with Don. He’d explained his position and even though she didn’t understand or agree with his reasons, she respected that he hadn’t strung her along, given her false hope or illusions. She knew exactly where he stood.

  You haven’t forgiven him.

  Self-knowledge was a powerful thing. She could see now that the unforgiveness she’d been harboring had lain trapped in her soul like a festering cancer. Tainting her world.

  I couldn’t face you never forgiving me.

  She made a strangled sound. Don’s words hadn’t registered at the time, but now she understood. Understood what she needed to do to find peace.

  She laid the bundled flowers on the plaque.

  “I forgive you, Cullen. I forgive you.” With each utterance, she felt lighter, freer.

  Peaceful.

  If only her heart didn’t ache with longing for Don.

  She stood and dusted the snow off her pants. “Goodbye, Cullen.”